partnerpart·ner1 /ˈpɑːtnəˈpɑːrtnər/ noun [countableC]1COMMERCEa company that works with another company in a particular activity, or invests in the same activityBritish Airways is actively seeking partners for joint ventures.
The company and its equity partners have invested in six energy projects.
→ lead partner → merger partner → strategic partner2COMMERCEsomeone who starts a new business with someone else by investing in itLike all new business partners, the three founders of the company hoped for smooth teamwork.
→ sleeping partner → working partner → general partner → junior partner → lead partner → managing partner → senior partner4 (also economic partner), trade partner, trading partnerECONOMICS a country that invests in another or is invested in by another, or that trades with anotherChina is an important economic partner and provider of oil for North Korea.
Exports won’t boom this year because so many of America’s major trading partners are going through tough times, too.